If you didn't have the pleasure of knowing Eralia Gallegos beyond pictures, you might think she was just a cute little old lady who loved to hold babies. But she was so much more than that.

"Lallie" was one of thirteen siblings (Lucy, Alfonso, Larry, Jean, Marie, Chris, Herman, Vi, Velma, Roy, Lorie & Betty), raised in New Mexico by Marcelino and Juanita Ulibarri before relocating to Utah, then California, then finally settling in the Seattle area with her husband Anastacio "Ted", son Juan "Sarge", and daughter Teddie “Bear”.

After losing her husband at 52 in 1989, Lallie seamlessly transitioned from extended to immediate member of the young Markey family. To lessen their burdens, she'd often come over and pick up their laundry and a kid or two to take home with her. She taught the kids to ride their bikes while their parents tended to the hustle and bustle of working parenthood. There are many family memories of dinner together eating beans, ribs, pork chili, enchiladas, and tortillas. They would grow to cherish every moment with her, and now, every memory.

Lallie eased into an early retirement when arthritis made her career at Boeing too great a challenge. She spent a lot of her time sewing and quilting, her quilts and blankets becoming a significant legacy and cherished heirlooms by many. She made another monumental transition in 2010 when her eldest grandson, David, promoted her to great grandmother, passing the cherished title of "Grandma" down to her daughter and becoming "Grandmasita". Grandmasita was a constant presence in the Markey family's lives, but clung fiercely to her independence until the very end.

Lallie was strong, loyal, and caring all the days of her life. She was feisty and ornery on a few of them, but only in the sweetest way. She loved her family dearly, her two children and son-in-law (Dale), three grandchildren; David, Michael (Carly) and Alicia (Perry) and 5 great grandsons (Chase, Titus, Royce, Beckham, & Miles), siblings and extended family.

What sorrow it is to lose so special a woman, but how precious it was to have known her. We love you and we miss you already. 

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